Reports: Raiders likely to start Boller

The NFL Network reported Friday, citing a league source and multiple Raiders players, that Boller will start against Kansas City. Meanwhile, ESPN cited two sources in reporting that Palmer is doubtful to play.

Oakland acquired Palmer from the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, after the team learned that starting quarterback Jason Campbell would miss significant time with a fractured collarbone. Campbell suffered the injury last Sunday against the Browns.

But since the trade, it's been a mystery -- at least publicly -- as to who would start.

Jackson was coy at his press conference Friday. When he was asked who the starting quarterback would be, he replied, "You didn't ask me that. No, you did not."

When asked why he would "beat around the bush," Jackson said: "Because I can."

Jackson indicated that he still had to decide who would start. He said he would watch the practice tape, sit down with his staff and talk to upper management before making a decision.

"I'll make the right decision for our football team as we draw closer to the game," Jackson said. "Again, I'm not in a rush."

All three of the team's quarterbacks -- Boller, Palmer and rookie Terrelle Pryor -- are ready to play and received first-team snaps, according to Jackson. He said Boller has done a "great job" with an increased workload in practice and added that Palmer is "throwing the ball like you wouldn't believe."

Palmer has not played this season after making good on his threat to retire if the Bengals did not trade him. He had originally requested a deal after the 2010 season, and had his wish granted this week.

Palmer twice passed for 4,000 yards during his eight-year career with the Bengals, and last season completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 3,970 yards and 26 touchdowns, with 20 interceptions.

But Boller, who is in his second season with Oakland, is apparently likely to start. The NFL.com report quoted receiver Jacoby Ford as saying that the team has "to do whatever we can to get Kyle into rhythm," suggesting Boller will be first under center.

At this point, however, many scenarios are possible. Jackson said toward the end of his press conference that he knows who the starting quarterback is, and gave an indecisive answer when asked if the Raiders could use multiple quarterbacks against the Chiefs.

"We have all kinds of stuff that we do here so it all depends on how good I'm feeling come Sunday, but anybody could walk out there first and take the first snap," Jackson said. "Trust me, we'll have a quarterback that's ready to play for this football team on Sunday."